U.S. patent application number 12/887682 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-22 for yoke accessory tool for an oscillating tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to ROBERT BOSCH GMBH. Invention is credited to Edward Abante, Carl Christian Carlson, John Holba, Jaime Moreno, Jeremy Rubens.
Application Number | 20120066919 12/887682 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45816432 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120066919 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Holba; John ; et
al. |
March 22, 2012 |
YOKE ACCESSORY TOOL FOR AN OSCILLATING TOOL
Abstract
An accessory tool is configured to be coupled to a power tool
having a tool drive structure. The accessory tool includes a spring
component and has a first arm and a second arm attached to the
spring component. The first arm includes (i) a first proximal end
portion defining a first accessory drive structure that is
configured to mate with a first portion of the tool drive
structure, and (ii) a first distal end portion having a first
holding structure. The second arm is spaced apart from the first
arm and includes (i) a second proximal end portion defining a
second accessory drive structure that is configured to mate with a
second portion of the tool drive structure, and (ii) a second
distal end portion having a second holding structure.
Inventors: |
Holba; John; (Naperville,
IL) ; Abante; Edward; (Chicago, IL) ; Rubens;
Jeremy; (Palatine, IL) ; Carlson; Carl Christian;
(Vernon Hills, IL) ; Moreno; Jaime; (Arlington
Heights, IL) |
Assignee: |
ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
Stuttgart
IL
ROBERT BOSCH TOOL CORPORATION
Broadview
|
Family ID: |
45816432 |
Appl. No.: |
12/887682 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
30/507 ;
279/145 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 83/8717 20150401;
B25F 3/00 20130101; B27B 19/006 20130101; Y10T 279/3418 20150115;
Y10T 83/7045 20150401; Y10T 83/687 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
30/507 ;
279/145 |
International
Class: |
B23D 51/14 20060101
B23D051/14; B25F 3/00 20060101 B25F003/00 |
Claims
1. An accessory tool configured to be coupled to a power tool
having a tool drive structure, the accessory tool comprising: a
spring component; a first arm attached to said spring component,
said first arm including (i) a first proximal end portion defining
a first accessory drive structure that is configured to mate with a
first portion of said tool drive structure, and (ii) a first distal
end portion having a first holding structure; and a second arm
spaced apart from said first arm and attached to said spring
component, said second arm including (i) a second proximal end
portion defining a second accessory drive structure that is
configured to mate with a second portion of said tool drive
structure, and (ii) a second distal end portion having a second
holding structure.
2. The accessory tool of claim 1, further comprising a work piece
contact element extending between said first holding structure and
said second holding structure.
3. The accessory tool of claim 2, wherein said work piece contact
element includes: a first end segment positioned in contact with
said first holding structure, and a second end segment positioned
in contact with said second holding structure.
4. The accessory tool of claim 3, wherein: said first holding
structure defines a first slot in which said first end segment of
said work piece contact element is positioned, and said second
holding structure defines a second slot in which said second end
segment of said work piece contact element is positioned.
5. The accessory tool of claim 2, wherein said work piece contact
element includes a blade, wherein: said blade includes a first
blade end portion and a second blade end portion, said first blade
end portion is positioned in contact with said first holding
structure, and said second blade end portion is positioned in
contact with said second holding structure.
6. The accessory tool of claim 2, wherein said work piece contact
element includes one of a blade and a wire.
7. The accessory tool of claim 1, wherein: said first proximal end
portion of said first arm is secured to a first part of said spring
component, and said second proximal end portion of said second arm
is secured to a second part of said spring component.
8. The accessory tool of claim 1, wherein: said first accessory
drive structure defines a first number of drive openings, and said
second accessory drive structure defines a second number of drive
openings.
9. The accessory tool of claim 8, wherein: said spring component is
configured to define a central opening, said first number of drive
openings is aligned with said central opening, and said second
number of drive openings is also aligned with said central
opening.
10. The accessory tool of claim 1, wherein said spring component
includes: a first mounting face defining a first face end portion
and a second face end portion, a second mounting face spaced apart
from said first mounting face and defining a third face end portion
and a fourth face end portion, a first hinge portion
interconnecting said first face end portion and said third face end
portion, a second hinge portion spaced apart from said first hinge
portion and interconnecting said second face end portion and said
fourth face end portion, said first arm is attached to said first
mounting face, and said second arm is attached to said second
mounting face.
11. The accessory tool holder of claim 10, wherein: both of said
first hinge portion and said second hinge portion are configured to
flex, and said accessory tool is configured such that flexing of
said first hinge portion and said second hinge portion causes said
first holding structure and said second holding structure to move
in relation to each other.
12. The accessory tool of claim 10, wherein: said first arm is
welded to said first mounting face, and said second arm is welded
to said second mounting face.
13. An accessory tool configured to be coupled to a power tool
having a tool drive structure, the accessory tool comprising: a
spring component having (i) a first mounting face, (ii) a second
mounting face, and (iii) a hinge interconnecting said first
mounting face and said second mounting face; a first arm having (i)
a first proximal end portion attached to said first mounting face,
and (ii) a first distal end portion having a first holding
structure; and a second arm having (i) a second proximal end
portion attached to said second mounting face, and (ii) a second
distal end portion having a second holding structure, wherein at
least one of said spring, said first proximal end portion, and said
second proximal end portion includes an accessory drive structure
that is configured to mate with said tool drive structure.
14. The accessory tool of claim 13, wherein: said hinge includes a
first hinge portion and a second hinge portion, said first mounting
face defines a first face end portion and a second face end
portion, said second mounting face defines a third face end portion
and a fourth face end portion, said first hinge portion
interconnects said first face end portion and said third face end
portion, and said second hinge portion interconnects said second
face end portion and said fourth face end portion.
15. The accessory tool of claim 13, further comprising a work piece
contact element extending between said first holding structure and
said second holding structure.
16. The accessory tool of claim 15, wherein said work piece contact
element includes one of a blade and a wire.
17. The accessory tool of claim 13, wherein: said first arm
includes said accessory drive structure, said accessory drive
structure defines a first number of drive openings, said spring
component is configured to define a central opening, said first
number of drive openings is aligned with said central opening.
18. The accessory tool of claim 17, wherein: said second arm
includes an additional accessory drive structure that defines a
second number of drive openings. said second number of drive
openings is also aligned with said central opening.
19. The accessory tool holder of claim 13, wherein: said hinge is
configured to flex, and said accessory tool is configured such that
flexing of said hinge causes said first holding structure and said
second holding structure to move in relation to each other.
20. The accessory tool of claim 13, wherein: said first proximal
end portion of said first arm is welded to said first mounting
face, and said second proximal end portion of said second arm is
welded to said second mounting face.
Description
FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to the field of oscillating power
tools, and more particularly to accessory tools for use with
oscillating power tools.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In general, oscillating tools are light-weight, handheld
power tools capable of being equipped with a variety of tool
accessories and attachments, such as cutting blades, sanding discs,
grinding tools, and many others. These types of tools typically
include a generally cylindrically-shaped main body that serves as
an enclosure for an electric motor as well as a hand grip for the
tool. The electric motor oscillates a tool holder to which any one
of various accessory tools may be attached. As the tool holder is
oscillated, an accessory tool attached to the tool holder is driven
to perform a particular function, such as sanding, grinding, or
cutting, depending on the configuration of the accessory tool.
[0003] Accessory tools for an oscillating power tool typically have
one-piece rigid construction that includes a mounting portion that
is used to secure the accessory tool to the tool holder and a tool
body extending from the mounting portion that supports a working
portion of the accessory tool, such as an abrasive surface or sharp
edge. The tool holder of most oscillating power tools includes a
tool drive structure that facilitates a secure and rigid connection
between the tool holder and the mounting portion of one or more
accessory tools. The accessory tools for use with a power tool are
provided with an accessory drive structure configured to interlock
with the tool drive structure of the corresponding tool holder. The
interlocked drive structures enable the accessory tool to be moved
with the tool holder while preventing slippage and other relative
movement of the accessory tool with respect to the tool holder as
the tool holder is oscillated.
[0004] Due to a number of factors, such as the high frequency
oscillating drive motion, rigid one-piece construction, the compact
nature of the power tools and accessories, etc., oscillating power
tools are limited in their ability to perform intricate cutting and
sanding operations on workpieces. These types of cuts typically
require the use of a thin, flexible work element, such as a wire,
band, or blade that is placed in tension to perform work on a
workpiece. Consequently, applications that require intricate
cutting, sanding, or shaping are usually performed with a table or
stand mounted power scroll saw, hand coping/fret saw, and the
like.
[0005] What is needed is an accessory tool for a handheld
oscillating power tool that enables a thin, longitudinal work
element, such as a wire, band, or blade, to cutting and/or sanding
element to be secured to and driven by the tool holder of an
oscillating tool.
SUMMARY
[0006] In accordance with one embodiment, an accessory tool is
provided that is configured to be coupled to a power tool having a
tool drive structure. The accessory tool includes a spring
component and has a first arm and a second arm attached to the
spring component. The first arm includes (i) a first proximal end
portion defining a first accessory drive structure that is
configured to mate with a first portion of the tool drive
structure, and (ii) a first distal end portion having a first
holding structure. The second arm is spaced apart from the first
arm and includes (i) a second proximal end portion defining a
second accessory drive structure that is configured to mate with a
second portion of the tool drive structure, and (ii) a second
distal end portion having a second holding structure.
[0007] In another embodiment, an accessory tool is provided that is
configured to be coupled to a power tool having a tool drive
structure. The accessory tool includes a spring component having
(i) a first mounting face, (ii) a second mounting face, and (iii) a
hinge interconnecting the first mounting face and the second
mounting face. The accessory tool also includes a first arm and a
second arm. The first arm has (i) a first proximal end portion
attached to the first mounting face, and (ii) a first distal end
portion having a first holding structure. The second arm has (i) a
second proximal end portion attached to the second mounting face,
and (ii) a second distal end portion having a second holding
structure. At least one of the spring, the first proximal end
portion, and the second proximal end portion includes an accessory
drive structure that is configured to mate with the tool drive
structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a yoke accessory tool
mounted on a tool holder of the power tool;
[0009] FIGS. 2A-2F depict elevational views of six (6) distinct
tool drive structures, respectively, that may be utilized in the
power tool of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of the yoke accessory tool
shown in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a bottom elevational view of the yoke accessory
tool shown in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the yoke accessory tool
shown in FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the yoke accessory tool
shown in FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the spring component of the
yoke accessory tool shown in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the spring component of the
yoke accessory tool shown in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of the spring component of
the yoke accessory tool of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 10 is an end elevational view of the yoke accessory
tool shown in FIG. 1 in a tensioned position.
[0018] FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of the yoke accessory
tool shown in FIG. 1 in a flexed position.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a top elevational view of the yoke accessory tool
in the flexed position.
[0020] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the connection between
a bracket arm of the yoke accessory tool and an end of a cutting
blade accessory.
[0021] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the connection between
a bracket arm of the yoke accessory tool and an end of a cutting
wire accessory.
DESCRIPTION
[0022] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the
embodiments illustrated in the drawings and described in the
following written specification. It is understood that no
limitation to the scope of the invention is thereby intended. It is
further understood that the present invention includes any
alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments and
includes further applications of the principles of the invention as
would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art to which
this invention pertains.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, the present disclosure is directed to a
yoke accessory tool 24 which can be mounted to an oscillating power
tool and that is configured to releasably retain a thin,
longitudinal workpiece contact element 26, such as a wire, band, or
blade. As explained below, the yoke accessory tool 24 comprises two
bracket arms 38, 40 that are configured to retain a thin, flexible
workpiece contact element 26 therebetween. The bracket arms 38, 40
are connected by a flexible spring component 44 that enables the
arms 38, 40 to be manually pivoted with respect to each other to
allow the desired workpiece contact element 26 to be extended
between and secured to each arm. The spring component 44 of the
yoke accessory tool is mounted to the tool holder 16 of an
oscillating tool 10 using a clamping screw 34 or similar type of
structure.
[0024] As depicted in FIG. 1, the power tool 10 includes a main
body 18 that serves as a hand grip for the tool 10 and a housing
for retaining an electric motor (not shown). The electric motor
oscillates a tool holder 16 extending from the main body 18 to
which various accessory tools may be attached, such as the yoke
accessory tool 24. As the tool holder 16 is oscillated, the
accessory tool 24 is driven to perform a particular function, such
as sanding, grinding, or cutting, depending on the configuration of
the workpiece contact element 26. Power for the electric motor is
received from a suitable power source (not shown), such as an
internal batter supply or a power cord connected to an AC wall
outlet.
[0025] The tool holder 16 includes a tool drive structure 20 that
enables the tool holder 16 to drive the accessory tool 24. As
depicted in FIG. 1, the accessory tool 24 includes a s an accessory
drive structure 28 that is configured to mate or interlock with the
tool drive structure 20 of the tool holder 16. The interlocked
drive structures 20, 28 enable the movement imparted to the tool
holder 16 by the motor to be used to drive the accessory tool 24 to
perform work on a workpiece. FIGS. 2A-2F depict various tool drive
structures 20a-20f that may be incorporated into the tool holder 16
of the power tool 10. Any suitable tool drive structure
configuration, including configurations not depicted in FIGS.
2A-2F, may be used. A clamping member 34, such as a clamping screw,
is used to press the accessory drive structure 28 of the accessory
tool 24 into interlocking engagement with the tool drive structure
20 thus securing the accessory tool 24 to the tool holder 16. In
one embodiment, the tool holder 16 includes a threaded bore 30
configured to mesh with the longitudinal threaded portion of the
clamping screw 34.
[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 3-10, the yoke accessory tool 24
includes a pair of bracket arms 38, 40 that are configured to
support the workpiece contact element 26 therebetween. Each bracket
arm 38, 40 is formed of a sturdy rigid material such as stainless
steel although any suitable material may be used. Each bracket arm
38, 40 includes a proximal end portion 48, 50, and a distal end
portion 52, 54 that is spaced apart from the spring component 44.
The distal end portions 52, 54 of the bracket arms 38, 40 each
include a holding structure 56, 58 configured to retain a portion
of a workpiece contact element 26 to enable the workpiece contact
element 26 to be supported by the bracket arms 38, 40.
[0027] Any suitable holding structure 56, 58 may be used to
releasably attach a workpiece contact element 26 to the bracket
arms. As best seen in FIG. 6, the holding structures 56, 58 of the
bracket arms 38, 40 comprise slots sized to receive the end
segments 60, 62 of the workpiece contact element 26. In the
embodiment of FIG. 1, the workpiece contact element 26 comprises a
blade that includes end segments 60, 62. One method that may be
used to releasably secure the end segments 60, 62 of the blade to
the slots 56, 58 is to extend a pin 63, or similar type of
structure, through the end segments 60, 62 at locations outboard of
the slots 56, 58 as depicted in FIG. 13. The workpiece contact
element 26 may also comprise a wire or filament. The end segments
60, 62 of a wire or filament contact element may be secured to the
slots 56, 58 of the bracket arms using a wire crimper 65 at the end
segments 60, 62 of the wire outboard of the slots 56, 58 as
depicted in FIG. 14.
[0028] The yoke accessory tool 24 is configured such that the
bracket arms 38, 40 position the workpiece contact element 26 a
predetermined distance D away from the spring component 44 in a
direction E. In addition, the bracket arms 38, 40 are configured to
space the holding structures apart from each other by a
predetermined distance F. The distance D is selected to provide
adequate clearance for the workpiece contact element 26 to be
driven to perform work on a workpiece without being impeded by the
main body 18 of the power tool 10. The distance F is selected to
maintain a predetermined tension along the workpiece contact
element 26 that enables the workpiece contact element 26 to be used
to perform a particular function, such as cutting, sanding, and
shaping operations on a workpiece.
[0029] To enable the end segments 60, 62 to be inserted into the
slots 56, 58 of the bracket arms, the mounting portion 44 comprises
a spring component 44 that enables each of the bracket arms 38, 40
to be manually pivoted or flexed between a tensioned position as
depicted in FIG. 10 in which the holding structures 56, 58 are
spaced the distance F apart and a flexed position as depicted in
FIG. 11 in which the holding structures 56, 58 are spaced a
distance G apart. The distance G enables the end segments 60, 62 of
the workpiece contact element 26 to be placed in contact with the
holding structures 56, 58 to secure the workpiece contact element
26 to the bracket arms 38, 40.
[0030] As depicted in FIGS. 7-9, the spring component 44 comprises
a first mounting portion 64 and a second mounting portion 66
interconnected by a hinge structure 72. The first mounting portion
64 has a first mounting face 68 to which the first bracket arm 38
is secured and the second mounting portion 66 has a second mounting
face 70 to which the second bracket arm 40 is secured. In the
embodiment of FIGS. 3-10, the bracket arms 28, 30 are secured to
the mounting portions 64, 66 of the spring component 44 by welding.
In alternative embodiments, the bracket arms 28, 30 may be secured
to the mounting portions 64, 66 in any suitable manner, such as by
fasteners or an adhesive.
[0031] The mounting portions 64, 66 and the hinge structure 72
cooperate to define a respective pivot axis P, Q for each mounting
portion about which the corresponding mounting portion 64, 66
pivots or flexes. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the configuration of
the hinge structure 72 of the spring component 44 enables each
pivot axis P, Q to be oriented substantially in the direction of
extension E of the bracket arms 38, 40. Consequently, as the
mounting portions 64, 66 and the corresponding bracket arms 38, 40
are pivoted about the respective pivot axis P, Q, the holding
structures 56, 58 are moved in an arcing path about each respective
pivot axis P, Q and. The arcing path of movement of the holding
structures at least in part enables the holding structures 56, 58
to be moved between a first relative position with respect to each
other at which the holding structures 56, 58 are the distance F
apart from each other and a second relative position with respect
to each other at which the holding structures 56, 58 are the
distance G apart from each other.
[0032] To facilitate the movement of the mounting portions 64, 66
with respect to the hinge structure 72 about the respective pivot
axis P, Q between the tensioned position (FIG. 10) and the flexed
position (FIG. 11), the hinge structure 72 includes a first hinge
portion 74 that extends between the first end regions 78, 80 of the
mounting portions 64, 66, and a second hinge portion 76 that
extends between the second end regions 82, 84 of the mounting
portions (opposite from the first end regions 78, 80).
[0033] The first hinge portion 74 includes a section 86 that
extends substantially perpendicularly from the first end region 78
of the first mounting portion 64 and a section 88 that extends
substantially perpendicularly from the first end region 80 of the
second mounting portion 66. Similarly, the second hinge portion 76
includes a section 90 that extends substantially perpendicularly
from the second end region 82 of the first mounting portion 64 and
a section 92 that extends substantially perpendicularly from the
second end region 84 of the second mounting portion 66. The
perpendicular sections 86, 88 of the hinge portions extend in
opposite directions from the respective end regions 78, 80 of
mounting portion 64, 66, and the perpendicular sections 90, 92 of
the hinge portions 74, 76 extend in opposite directions from the
respective end regions 82, 84 of the mounting portions 64, 66. The
perpendicular sections 86, 88 and the first mounting portion 64
cooperate to define the pivot axis P, and the perpendicular
sections 90, 92 and the second mounting portion 66 cooperate to
define the pivot axis Q.
[0034] Due to the configuration of the hinge portions 74, 76,
pivoting or flexing the bracket arms about the respective pivot
axes P, Q causes a contraction in the area of the spring component
44 facing in the direction of extension E and an expansion in the
area of the spring component 44 facing opposite the direction E. As
depicted in FIG. 11, the hinge portion 76 and sections 90, 92 of
the hinge portion 76 bend in response to the pivoting or flexing of
the bracket arms which allows the end regions 82, 84 to contract
and move closer together. The hinge portion 74 and sections 86, 88
of the hinge portion 74 bend in response to the pivoting or flexing
of the bracket arms which allows the end regions 78, 80 to expand
and move farther apart from each other. As depicted in FIG. 12,
this opposed contraction and expansion of the spring component 44
skews the pivot axes P, Q toward each other in the direction E
which in turn brings the holding structures 56, 58 closer together
for removing and/or attaching a workpiece contact element.
[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the accessory drive
structure 28 for the yoke accessory tool 24 is defined by the
proximal end portions 48, 50 of the bracket arms 38, 40. As
depicted, the proximal end portions 48, 50 of the bracket arms 38,
40 cooperate to define at least a portion of a central opening 98
though which the longitudinal portion of the clamping screw 34 is
passed on the way to the central bore 37 (See FIG. 2A) of the tool
holder 16. The tool drive structure 20 comprises a plurality of
projections 22 arrayed about the central bore 37 of the tool holder
(See FIG. 2A). The accessory drive structure 28 comprises a
plurality of drive openings 96 that are sized and positioned
complementary to at least some of the projections 22. The drive
openings 96 are distributed between the end portions 48, 50 of the
bracket arms with the first proximal end portion 48 of the first
bracket arm 28 defining a first portion of the drive openings 96
and the second proximal end portion 50 of the second bracket arm
defining a second portion of the drive openings 96. The number of
drive openings incorporated into each end portion 48, 50 may be the
same although not necessarily. In addition, the total number of
drive openings 96 does not have to correspond to the total number
of projections 22 as any suitable number of drive openings 96 may
be provided that enables the tool drive structure 20 and the
accessory drive structure 28 to be interlocked and provide a secure
connection.
[0036] The spring component 44 positions the proximal end portions
48, 50 of the bracket arms with respect to each other so that the
central opening 98 and the drive openings 96 are aligned with the
central bore 37 and projections 22 of the tool drive structure 20.
With the central opening 98 aligned with the central bore 37 and
the drive openings 96 aligned with the projections of the tool
drive structure 20, the clamping screw may be threaded into the
bore 30. As the clamping screw 34 is tightened, the proximal end
portions 48, 50 of the bracket arms are pressed into engagement
with the tool holder thereby securing an interlocked relationship
between the tool drive structure 20 and the accessory drive
structure 28, and securing the bracket arms 28, 30 in the tensioned
position with respect to each other.
[0037] While the invention has been illustrated and described in
detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same should
be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It
is understood that only the preferred embodiments have been
presented and that all changes, modifications and further
applications that come within the spirit of the invention are
desired to be protected.
* * * * *